Rifle hand grip device

ABSTRACT

A HAND GRIP DEVICE SIMILAR TO A PISTOL GRIP, HAVING PROJECTING MEANS ON ONE END ADAPTED TO FIT INTO CLAMPING TYPE FRONT BAND ASSEMBLIES OF RIFLES, SUCH AS EMPLOYED ON THE M1 CARBINE, AND ADAPTED TO BE CLAMPED THEREBY TO SECURE THE GRIP DEVICE TO THE RIFLE.

No v. 30, 1971 J RAY 3,623,257

RIFLE HAND GRIP DEVICE Filed June 12, 1969 LONNIE J. RAY

INVENTOR.

United States Patent 3,623,257 RIFLE HAND GRIP DEVICE Lonnie J. Ray, Rte. 2, Piney Flats, Tenn. 37686 Filed June 12, 1969, Ser. No. 832,688 Int. Cl. F41c 23/00 9 Claims US. C]. 42-71 ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention concerns an improved forward hand grip device for rapid detachable connection to rifles having a front band assembly secured by a clamping mechanism, and particularly relates to a hand grip adapted for rapid attachment to and detachment from rifles employing the type of front band assembly of the M1 and M2 carbine and similar rifles.

It has been observed that the construction of rifles, including the M1 carbine, does not always allow the most comfortable and effective supporting position to be taken by the shooter. For example, the standing position requires that the shooters forward arm be twisted into a position which markedly diminishes the constancy and strength of the arm muscles involved in supporting the rifle. Where marksmanship and extended sighting is required, these supporting muscles necessarily experience a temporary tremulant condition, resulting, of course, in loss of accuracy.

Moreover, in the firing of automatic firearms such as the M2 carbine, an additional support problem is presented in that the normal supporting position of the forward arm will not provide the maximum strength for maintaining the rifle in a sighted position and tightly against the marksmans shoulder during the rapid jolting of the recoil.

Objects, therefore, of the present invention are: to provide a readily attachable and detachable forward hand grip for rifles; to provide such hand grip in a conveniently manufacturable and esthetically pleasing form; to provide the grip in a form having no moving parts and of sturdy and extremely durable construction; to provide the grip in a form which is inexpensive and readily mass producible; and to provide the grip in a form which may be manufactured as a single piece molding or casting.

These and other objects hereinafter appearing have been attained in accordance with the present invention through the discovery of a hand grip having a clampable insert connector means which readily inserts into the clamping unit of the front band assembly of an M1 or M2 carbine or similarly constructed rifle to firmly secure the hand grip to the rifle.

Further understanding of the present invention may be had from the following specification and drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side view of an M1 carbine showing portions thereof adjacent to and including the front band assembly, and the forward hand grip of the present invention mounted thereon;

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the assembledvfront band assembly of FIG. 1 without the forward hand grip in place;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the upper portion of the forward hand grip with portions broken away to show the insert connector means;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the forward hand grip; and

3,623,257 Patented Nov. 30, 1971 "ice FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of the lower portion of the rifle stock, front band assembly, and mounted for ward hand grip, taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 1 in the direction of the arrows.

Referring to the drawings and particularly to FIG. 1, a forward portion generally designated 10 of an M1 or M2 carbine is shown with the metal front band assembly generally designated 12 and forward hand grip 14 of the present invention mounted thereon in operating position. Referring specifically to FIGS. 1, 2 and 5, the front band assembly 12 comprises a generally semi-ring, or ferrule type structure having an upper curved portion 16 for fitting snugly around the gun barrel 18, an intermediate curved portion 20 for fitting snugly around the forward neck 22 of the stock 24, and a clamping unit comprising a washer segment 26 and a nut segment 28. A tightening screw 30 slides within aperture 32 in Washer segment 26 and is threadably receivable in threaded aperture 34 in nut segment 28 to secure barrel 18 to stock 24.

Referring specifically to FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, the forward hand grip 14 comprises a body portion 15 provided with a pair of segments 36 and 38 having their respective upper surfaces 40 and 42 of a concave configuration to snugly fit against the lower portions of the forward neck 22 and forward portion 44 of stock 24. Separating the segments 36 and 38 is a cutout generally designated 46 of such configuration as to snugly receive washer segment 26 and nut segment 28 while allowing surfaces 40 and 42 to bear tightly against the stock.

Fitted within a recess 48 in hand grip 14 is insert connector means generally designated 50 and comprising a body segment 52 having apertures 54 therein for tightly receiving pins 56 which are also tightly received in mating, aligned apertures 58 in hand grip 14. Integral with and projecting from body segment 52 are prongs 60 and 62 separated to form a substantially parallel sided slot 64 for slidably receiving tightening screw 30. The thickness of prongs 60 and 62 is such that tightening screw 30 sufficiently to tighten band assembly 12, will also tightly clamp the prongs between segments 26 and 28. It is noted that prongs 60 and 62 are cut slightly below the level of surfaces 40 and 42, and slot 64 is made a little longer than dimensionally necessary, in order to insure that hand grip 14 will fit tightly against the stock without interference from any portion of insert connector means 50.

In mounting hand grip 14 on the gun, it is only necessary to loosen screw 30 slightly, push the hand grip firmly up against the stock with prongs 60 and 62 inserted between segments 26 and 28, and tighten the screw. The mounting will ordinarily take only a few seconds.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the actual configuration or shape of the hand grip may be varied to meet practical or esthetic requirements. In this regard, the finger grooves 66 may be of any desired depth or shape, or may be eliminated altogether. Moreover, the invention is not limited by the specific shape of the prongs 60 and 62 of the insert connector means shown, however, the surface area of the prongs which is to be contacted by segments 26 and 28 is preferably as large as possible to give maximum clamping friction. The prongs may also be of hardened metal having serrated, knurled or the like surfaces for developing increased friction upon being clamped.

It is also within the scope of the present invention to construct hand grip 14 of any suitable tough material including molding plastic such as cellulose acetate butyrate, fiberglass reinforced polyester or epoxy resin, aluminum, and wood. Where the hand grip is to be molded from plastic or cast from metal, the body segment 52 of the insert connector means may be encapsulated or potted in the molded or cast material, with apertures 54 or other anchoring means, such as projections, serving to firmly secure the insert connector means in the body of the hand grip. Alternatively, Where the molding resin or casting metal is of sufiicient strength, a preferred embodiment is to form prongs 60 and 62 integrally with the hand grip. A particularly useful fabricating method is to mold or cast the hand grip in halves and assemble them together in a clamping fashion with the insert connector means in place, by means of pins 56, screws, or equivalent securing means.

It is particularly noted that where the carbine is to be used in combat and rapid means for attachment and detachment of the hand grip becomes important, the tightening screw 30 may be replaced, for example, by a wing nut or equivalent type screw mechanism, or a cam levered type of action which could be actuated by merely lifting or depressing a small lever. Such rapid actuating clamping mechanisms are well known to the clamping and securing art and are within the scope of the present invention.

The invention has been described in detail with particular reference to preferred embodiments thereof, but

it will be understood that variations and modifications can be effected Within the spirit and scope of the invention as described hereinabove.

What is claimed is:

1. A hand grip device for detachable connection to rifles, said device comprising an elongated body portion, a first pair of spaced projections extending from one end of said body portion to form a cavity, a second pair of spaced projections in said cavity and extending generally axially thereof to form a second cavity, said second spaced projections having a substantially equal thickness dimension.

2. The hand grip device of claim 1 wherein the said cavities extend generally axially of the said body portion and open toward the said one end of said body portion.

3. The hand grip device of claim 1 comprising an integrally molded unit of tough, rigid plastic.

4. The hand grip device of claim I mounted on a rifle having a front band assembly firmly clamped to said second spaced projections.

S. The hand gri device of claim 2 wherein the outer ends of said first pair of spaced projections are each provided with concave surfaces.

6. The hand grip device of claim 5 wherein said second spaced projections have substantially greater Width dimensions than thickness dimensions.

7. The hand grip device of claim 6 wherein said second spaced projections have substantially parallel inner edges.

8. The hand grip device of claim 6 wherein the sides of said second spaced projections are substantially fiat.

9. The hand grip device of claim 6 wherein the sides of said second spaced projections are roughened to provide increased friction when clamped.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 445,192 1/1891 Nye et al. 42-71 809,080 1/1906 Wight 4271 2,826,848 3/1958 Davies 4271 3,164,920 1/1965 Haas, Jr. et a1 42-71 BENJAMIN A. BORCHELT, Primary Examiner C. T. JORDAN, Assistant Examiner 

